Shoes! The NY Times tackles a great Helpline favorite

Here's the NY Times' take on what shoes are best. They asked the guides. I'm not sure whether or not there is really any new advice about the shoes here, but I might try that British army tip.... What do you think? Are there any new insights here?

The British Army trick is interesting - but it reminds me of another trick to run a temperature, hold a bar of soap under your armpit (don't know if it works, I liked school). I'm wondering if your feet will heat up using that technique? The trick I like is to use antiperspirant on your feet in the morning and wear non-cotton socks, I learned that from distance runners. The antiperspirant helps keep your feet from sweating. Sweat and cotton socks are a prescription for blisters because when cotton gets wet it loses it's cushion and friction resistance (plus cotton doesn't hand wash as well as synthetics or wool).

OF the very few things I truly don't grasp on the Helpline and the RS cliqué the obsession with the "right clothing" is on the top of that list. Of course I'm not referring to weather- or terrain-appropriateness questions. People are okay with different languages, different food, different traffic signs but God forbid they are using "typically American holiday fashion". It is closely followed by the "I don't want to stand out as a tourist even when visiting touristic places and speaking a foreign language" hype.

What are you referring to????? The NY Times article only discusses comfortable footwear when traveling. It has nothing to do with blending in, or not looking like an American. It's applicable to all tourists from all countries. Most of the people interviewed in the article aren't even Americans.

Hey, let's not get testy. I can understand Andre's frustration. The shoe question is a valid one. Most people in the US don't walk a lotwell if you live in NYC you do! So. trying to figure out comfortable footwear that doesn't look like it should be on your great grandma is an completely understandable no matter how many times its posted. Sometimes being on the helpline is like teaching Freshman Composition. All the questions have already been asked, but the people asking them are new. Pam